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Comment by Mary on February 5, 2009 at 6:57pm

I never wore makeup before either, so I know how you feel, Linda! I was totally lost. I bought lots of stuff.

I didn't like eyebrow "pencils" or markers - too uncomfortable and difficult for me to put on and remove, and unforgiving of mistakes. Eyebrow powder is very easy. You buy a special, small-tipped brush (make up departments will be happy to show you all about this), and dip it in the powder lightly. I also tap the brush against my sink to dislodge excess before applying it. Then you stroke it on lightly. If you make a mistake, it wipes right off (a good reason to use the sealer).

Thea can describe that better, but it looks like clear nail polish. You spread a thin layer on top of the powdered brows, and it magically holds the powder in place (i.e. accidentally wiping your brows won't rub it off). It goes on shiny, but quickly dries to a matte finish.

Comment by Linda on February 5, 2009 at 6:31pm

What is sealer, how do you use it, what is powder for eyebrows, how do you use it? Can someone give a quick make up class? I've asked my daughters about makeup, but, they have eyebrows and eyelashes so it is hard for them to tell me or show me anything that I can use. The fact that I never wore makeup leaves me challenged. The makeup I have on in my pics was applied by my oldest daughter, she loves working with it, but I don't have her at my disposal every morning.

Comment by Mary on February 5, 2009 at 5:34pm

I am using BGDL's sealer, and it's wonderful. It keeps the brow powder in place no matter what, and comes off when I wash my face. Glad to hear you're coming out with a travel size, Thea!

Comment by Galena on February 5, 2009 at 4:55pm

Thank You Sisters! I knew I would get answers if I brought my concerns here. Not yet financially able to tattoo, but the other suggestions are very helpful. Love you all!

Comment by Nants the Rebellion Dog on February 5, 2009 at 4:17pm

Okay, so I haven't lost my eyebrows or my eyelashes, but I have never had thick ones anyway. My eyebrows have always been scraggly little beggers that just look like nose hair run amok. So...if I lose them, I say good riddance. I had eyeliner done about 6 years ago, long before the onset of AA, because as I age, I sort of lose color and I felt like I was disappearing. I had it done by a middle-aged woman, and that made me feel good because I didn't want to look like a Lady of the Evening. LOL. I almost did my eyebrow then, but was afraid that when I was 80 I'd still have these dark eyebrows when my hair was white. Now I don't have to worry about matching my hair. See all the good things that come out of having alopecia? I did get my first chemo question today, but it was asked with loving concern. The guy had had chemo himself, and he just was wondering how I looked SO DAMNED GREAT while undergoing that process. Now, that's not too bad, is it? It's a good life.

Comment by Mary on February 5, 2009 at 3:53pm

p.s. The photo of me with my husband on my page was taken just after I had the eyebrows done, and before I had the eyeliner. So, the brows are a bit darker than they ended up, and the eyeliner you see is just a little I put on.

Comment by Mary on February 5, 2009 at 3:51pm

I always had very thick, distinctive eyebrows, and never wore eye makeup. I lost all my eyebrows and eyelashes within 3 months of shaving my head in 2008. I VERY quickly decided that I didn't like the look I had without the brows and lashes, and that I DID NOT want to mess with putting makeup on every day, only to have it come off. I had permanent makeup (tattoos) done on my eyebrows while I still had a few hairs left, so that it was easier for the makeup artist to draw them where they had been. I followed with the eyeliner a couple of months later.

I am SO happy I did the permanent makeup. I never wear false lashes...too much trouble for me. My eyes don't look the way they did, but they look fine to me, and are part of my "new look". You can see my original eyes, and the permanent makeup in the photos on my page, and also on the videos of me. The videos are on AW, and also on YouTube.

I put a little powder on my eyebrow tattoos just to darken them a little ...it takes me only a few seconds since the brow is already "there". I wear eye shadow for a little drama, and I do nothing to my eyeliner. For me, it's the way to go. On my upcoming scuba diving trip, I'll come out of the water with full brows and dark eyeliner!

Hang in there...good luck.

Mary

Comment by Linda on February 5, 2009 at 3:25pm

Galena, it's your world sweetie, when you're ready to step out in your BALDNESS, you will know and that's when it will happen.
I have to thank God for all the encouragement and growth that I see here and I also thank HIM for my new "kindred sisters" who understand my journey!
I travel all over the country for my job and I attend many meetings and conferences, I rarely give my BALDNESS a second thought unless someone mentions it. Then I give them an Alopecia class with a card and go about my business. It's my personality color~I'm an orange!
On the makeup thing, I feel you, my right eyebrow is very thin and my left is sort of thin with a natural arc, I can't seem to make them a matching set so I normally go without makeup on them. I did not wear makeup before I shaved my head and now I'm having a rough time trying to figure it out at my age, lol! I may try those sponge in eyebrows, anytime I put makeup on my eyebrows, I look like Groucho Marx!

Comment by Galena on February 5, 2009 at 2:02pm

Greetings Sisters! The conversations have been warm and spirited since my last entry. I feel so much better when I come here to check in.
My current challenge is learning to handle the loss of my eyebrows and the right eyelash. I have succumbed to the drawing of brows (a chore of daily artistic interpretation) and now the application of false eyelashes (it took me 40 minutes this morning!). I know like any beauty regime, I will get faster with experience, but doing it each morning is starting to make me angry. I don’t want to be angry; I know I’m blessed to be healthy and sane. Does anyone have any encouragement to offer me? I don’t feel like the natural low maintenance beauty I used to be.
I’m not ready to go wigless at work- I actually don’t think I ever will. But I haven’t gone out without a head covering except to one church event last Christmas. My plan is to begin my “coming-out” in May when the weather here in Georgia starts getting warm.

Thank you for listening Sisters- Peace and Love to All:^)

Galena

Comment by Mary on February 5, 2009 at 10:13am

Completely normal, Jen. I still have a difficult time some nights. The worst of the self-doubt was in the first few months. I kept wondering "Am I crazy to think it's okay to be seen looking like this?!!!" That's a big reason that this discussion group has been SO helpful for me. I don't feel alone! There are other women who are fine with being seen bald, and they're beautiful!

As I commented in the TV interview (on AW world videos), it's been a process of accepting the "new me". Now that I have done that, there is no shame, only pride.

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